About this course
This Advanced Practice course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to reach digital audiences, whilst also enabling you to gain practical experience.
- Learn from staff with strong links to professional bodies
- Undertake a group consultancy project
- Benefit from course content which is of a professional standard relevant to potential marketeers
- Study in a dynamic business school, located in the city of Liverpool
Informed by current industry best practice, this masters-level degree is aimed at graduates interested in pursuing a career in digital marketing, and professionals who may already be in a marketing role and would like to diversify into the digital arena.
As the digital economy continues to grow, businesses need to develop a multi-channel digital presence to reach customers.
The programme is designed to meet industry demands by equipping the next generation of digital marketing professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to produce cutting-edge creative strategies and develop, manage and lead a digital marketing campaign.
It enables students to develop key skills in areas such as website development, social media management, content marketing, web analytics, user journey analysis, the effects of multi-screen usage, SEO and mobile integration.
Initially you will explore digital marketing principles and practices, emerging technologies and consumer behaviour in the digital age. You will develop a good understanding both of traditional marketing and of new ways of working in a digital environment, making the programme relevant to those who have studied marketing and those who are from technology backgrounds.
Advanced Practice
In the first year you will complete the taught (classroom) components of the course. During the second year of the course, you and your fellow students will undertake a semester-long group consultancy project. This allows you to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in your previous year to a project brief provided by a business.
Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University is a member of AACSB International The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide. Through membership, accreditation, research, thought leadership, professional development, and advocacy, AACSB partners with over 1,500 organizations, from more than 90 countries globally. Membership or participation in the Global Education Alliance does not imply accreditation.
Natalie Taylor, Programme Leader for MSc Digital Marketing
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Advanced Business Practice
60 credits
60 credits
This module provides opportunities for you to develop as part of a team of consultants working on a live business project, applying theoretical knowledge in a practical environment.
Experiential Marketing in the Digital Era
20 credits
20 credits
Learn how to critically evaluate the role of UX within organisations. Throughout the module, students will learn to critically analyse and understand the online customer experience through group discussion, theoretical analysis and live lab sessions.
Digital Marketing Communications
20 credits
20 credits
Critically apply various digital communication tools and learn how to create digital content to address specific objectives. Learn how to critically evaluate best practice methods for online presence.
Data Analysis and Application
20 credits
20 credits
This module looks at data analysis as a technology-driven process for analysing data and presenting actionable insight to marketing professionals and experts. Build awareness of the importance of data for marketing and learn about the novel approaches that are revolutionising the marketing industry (Data Science, Big Data, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence etc.). Learn basic concepts of contemporary data analysis and master tools for transformation of structured data into actionable information.
Digital Marketing Strategy and Planning
20 credits
20 credits
Learn how to design, deliver and manage a strategic digital campaign. Evaluate the various factors which influence strategic marketing decisions in the digital context.
Digital Consumer Psychology
20 credits
20 credits
Gain a critical understanding of the psychological elements of human cognition, such as attention and memory, in order to understand the behaviour of consumers in a digital marketing context.
Research Methods for Digital Marketing
10 credits
10 credits
Gain a deeper understanding of research competencies with specific reference to digital marketing and the data collection methods that can be utilised. Research philosophies, strategies and methods associated with research within business and marketing are critically examined.
Research Project
60 credits
60 credits
Develop and execute a research project with guidance and supervision. Apply concepts from both digital and wider marketing literature, along with research methodology concepts and techniques, to a specific problem or scenario.
Digital Industry Clinic
10 credits
10 credits
Learn from industry professionals in a four hour evening workshop which runs over four weeks in semester 2. The workshops will teach you to use a range of software that is currently used in industry so that you are equipped with relevant practical skills for this ever evolving sector.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Year 1
Contact hours for lectures, seminars and workshops total 12 hours per week in each of the two taught semesters, scheduled over two or three days maximum and between the hours of 9.00am and 6.00pm.
Year 2
In the second year of study you will spend your first semester working on a business consultancy project with the second semester working on your dissertation.
A combination of workshops and tutorials will support progress throughout the consultancy project and dissertation module.
Teaching methods
The key concepts and trends of digital marketing will be introduced via case studies and hands-on practical work. You will be prepared for management and leadership roles via a taught module in semester one and hands-on experience of campaign management in semester two.
Next, you will work to plan a digital marketing campaign. This will demand both innovative and creative thinking, and a good understanding of current and emerging technologies as well as practical project management techniques using an industry standard methodology, such as Agile.
To help you appreciate the challenges faced by digital marketing practitioners, we will invite guest speakers to deliver seminars based around their own professional experiences. Previous guest speakers have included Amanda Dolan from BoohooMAN, Andi Jarvis from Eximo Marketing, Paul Corcoran from Agent Marketing, Rob Manning from Reckitt and Josh Beale from Mapp Digital.
Applied learning
The business consultancy project that you will undertake in the second year of study will enable you to gain practical skills and work with students from your course as a team of consultants. You will apply the theoretical knowledge you have gained by undertaking a project for a business, enabling you to gain real workplace skills.You will undertake group tutorials and study in our dedicated Management Development Suite, based in a listed building in Liverpools historic Georgian Quarter.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies, and is open seven days a week.
Liverpool Business School also has a dedicated Management Development Suite, based in a listed building in the historic Georgian Quarter of Liverpool and a short walk from the Redmonds Building. The building has recently undergone £1.2 million investment to provide a professional learning space.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Natalie Taylor
Programme Manager
Students on the programme will use their new skill base and apply it to their own strategic marketing plan
Students on the programme will use their new skill base and apply it to their own strategic marketing plan
Natalie studied BA Marketing and Advertising at Hull University, graduating in 2007, and then continued her studies in higher education by completing her PhD at The University of Central Lancashire. After lecturing for several years, Natalie developed a keen interest in digital marketing so expanded her skill base by completing the Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing and Web Analytics. Over the last few years, Natalie has been managing the MSc in Digital Marketing along with teaching digital marketing modules at postgraduate and undergraduate level.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The programme offers opportunities to gain professional certification awards and will prepare you for roles in digital agencies, large companies and SMEs or for self-employment. Many of our graduates have secured exciting positions in the field of digital marketing following graduation. Some have even secured employment before they graduated or started up their own digital agency.
As a digital marketing graduate you will be equipped for roles such as: Analytics Manager, CRM and Email Marketing Manager, Digital Agency, Account Manager, Content Creator, Digital Marketing Manager, Web Manager, eCommerce Manager, Pay per Click Manager, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Manager, Social Media Manager, and a host of other roles.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
- International fee:
- £17,750
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Early Bird Tuition Fee discount
We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.
To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a good second class honours degree in any relevant discipline
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
- IDM and CAM qualifications will be considered alongside relevant industry experience
- Exceptionally, the requirements of a second class honours degree may be waived where applicants have a minimum of five years' experience working in a marketing-related area
-
RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
Other international requirements
- International students applying to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU should check if they require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Contact International Admissions Team for more details
- International students entering on a Student visa cannot study part-time
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your campus
We’re very proud of our campuses. Not only because they provide a modern and inspiring learning space for all our students but also because they’re a place people really want to be.
Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Europe's most dynamic and cultured cities. Come find out why it's a great city to study in.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student through Unibuddy for insights and advice on university life, courses, and more.
See what our students are saying
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News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.